Title: Good Night
Pairing: Spike/Buffy
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em.
Summary: Buffy makes a decision that may very well change the future.
"Wait! Huh?" Buffy asked, slowly blinking. "You're talking about enharmonic intervals. It might as well be gibberish."
"I thought I was explaining it well, luv."
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Well you weren't. How did you learn about all of this stuff anyways?"
"As a vamp, I have had a lot of time on my hands, and I wanted to learn guitar. So I did."
"Let me guess," she paused as if thinking. "You stole the guitar."
"Vampire, pet."
"Of course. I have to go."
"No," Spike said, standing up, his precious guitar in one hand. "Please, just one night. Give me one night where you don't go running off. Give me one chance to show you what we could be if you allow it. I thought we were having a nice time."
Buffy looked down, staring at the floor as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world. "We were. That's the problem. We're not supposed to have a good time together. It's wrong."
"We're not hurting anyone," Spike softy protested.
Buffy sighed and stared at Spike. "Can you play me something?"
"Sure, if you promise not to laugh."
"Why would I laugh?"
"I wrote it."
Buffy moved to sit down and stared up at him expectantly. "Please."
Spike stood in front of her. His normal cocky stance seemed unsure but even with the doubts clear in his eyes, he began strumming the strings. What came out was absolutely beautiful.
She closed her eyes and listened to the soft guitar and Spike's voice. It seemed almost softer than the guitar but somehow, she still heard it over the music that came out of the instrument.
She found herself swaying lightly to the beautiful song and could have easily fallen asleep. When he finished all too soon, she reluctantly opened her eyes. "Why did you think I'd laugh? It was such a beautiful song, so heartfelt and moving."
Spike look down and she would have sworn that he was shy about her praise. "Thanks luv, I wrote it when I first realized I loved you."
Buffy's heartbeat raced at the idea of someone writing such a moving song for her, but she didn't want to get his hopes up. She swallowed nervously. "It was amazing, and I feel honored. Spike, I need you to realize something. I don't love you, and I don't know if I'll ever love. I don't even know if I' capable of love any longer, but I have also realized that I hadn't given you nearly enough credit.
I know you're trying to do better. You might make some mistakes because of the lack of soul, but you do have good intentions most of the time. You just don't always differentiate right versus wrong well."
"What are you saying?" Spike asked, hope shining in his eyes.
"I'm saying that I think of you as a friend. Maybe that's not enough for you, but it's all I can give you for now."
"For now. So maybe, sometime in the future..."
Buffy shook her head. "Don't get your hopes up. Just be happy with my friendship."
Spike leaned his guitar against the wall. "I am. More than you realize."
Buffy rested a hand on his arm. "I should get going. Goodnight."
"Yes, it has been a good night."
With a squeeze to his bicep, Buffy turned around and left through the old door. She wasn't sure how her acceptance of Spike's place in her life had changed the future, but Buffy didn't think she could regret it, not when she thought about Spike's happy smile.
She shrugged the thoughts away. She'd worry about the consequences another night.